Store-service apparatus



W. R. COLE. STORE SERVIGE APPARATUS.

(No Model.)

No. 566,139. Patented-Aug. 18, 1896.

UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM R. COLE, OF DETROIT, IVIICHIGAN.

STORE-SERVICE APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters ZPatent No. 566,139, dated August18, 1896.

Application filed January 23, 1896. Serial No. 576,499. (No model.)

. n in drawin s.

The invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combinationof the various parts, all as more fully hereinafter described,

and definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is averticalcentral longitudinal section showing elastic band under tension. Fig. 3is a front elevation of the car.

A is the standard or post, preferably depending from a ceiling andsupporting one end of the wireway B, the other end or station not beingshown.

The carriage comprises the frame C and grooved wheels D, running on thewireway. The ends of the side bars of the frame are notched, as shown atE, to receive the elastic band F, preferably an endless band, whichbridges the ends and extends along the sides.

I is the cash-box, detachably supported in the ring I at the lower endof the bars J, which suspend it from the car-frame.

K is a tension-bar slidingly supported in the lower end of the post, itsmiddle portion being guided between the pins or rollers L and its outerend resting upon the arm 'M, which projects forwardly from the post orstandard. The end of this bar has the inclined bearing N resting in aguideway in the post or lug O on the outer end of the arm M andpreferably upon a roller P therein.

Q is a hook formed in an upwardly-extending lug on the forward end ofthe tension-bar.

R is a pull-cord secured to the outer end of the tension-bar, passingover the roller S and hanging down in convenient proximity to theoperator.

-T is a bell-crank-shaped latch pivoted in an aperture in the post,having a hook at its forward end adapted to engage the pin T in the car,T being a spring to actuate the hook.

V is a pin or screw on the tension-bar,

adapted to strike the depending arm of the latch in its forward positionto trip the hook.

The parts being thus constructed, they are intended to operate asfollows: As the car comes into the station it is'engaged and held by thespring-hook T. To propel it, the operator draws down on the cord, whichproj ects the tension-bar forward, and its first movement is to liftwhile the incline N is passing over the roller, which lifting movementcauses the hook to engage with the elastic band at the forward end ofthe car. The further movement of the bar puts that band under tension byelongating it. When the pin V trips the hook, the car will be propelledover the wire by the contrary action of the elastic band. The cross-loopat the inner end is prevented from engagement with the hook by theincline W on the rear of the tensionbar and by the fact that the outerend of the tension-bar may lower, because the under face of thetension-bar has the reverse incline a running on the roller as the barreaches its outer position. The tension-bar is withdrawn to its initialposition by the spring 0, connected thereto by the cord d.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In a store-service apparatus, thecombination with the track, the standard, the car on the track and alatch therefor, of a propelling device for the car, comprising anelastic member on the car and devices at the station for putting theelastic member under tension by engaging the end section thereof and forreleasing the latch comprising a sliding tension-bar. I

2. In a store-service apparatus, the combination with the track, thestandard, the car and a latch therefor on the standard, of a propellingdevice for the car comprising an endless elastic band stretched aroundthe car, a horizontally-sliding tension-bar adapted to engage with theband to put it under tension and means for tipping the latch.

3. In a store-service apparatus, the combination wit-h the standard, theway, the car on the way, of an elastic band on the car, a tension-barnormally out of the path of the band, devicesfor actuating the bar, formoving it into engagement with the band, for releasing the ear and formoving out of the path of the band as the car travels forward.

4. In a store-service apparatus, the combination with the standard, theforwardly-projecting arm M, the tensi0n-bar K, sliding in guides, theroller-bearing P for the outer end of the bar K, the hook on the bar forengagement with an elastic band on the car and the inclines N, a and \Von the bar, substantially as and for the purpose described. 10

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM R. COLE.

\Vitnesses:

M. B. ODQGHERTY, O. F. BARTHEL.

